howell



(No Model.) s sheets-sheen 1.

P. W. HOWELL.

GRAIN SEPARATOR. v 310,266,258.- VPatented Oct. 17,1882'.

'(No Model.) l 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. F. W. HOWELL.

GRAIN SEPARATOR.

Patented Oct. 1'7

N4 PETERS, Photo-ulhagrnphar, Waahingwn. D4 C. v

(No Model.) a sheets-'sheet 3.-

P. W. HOWELL.

GRAIN SBPARATOR.

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NEFF

Srafrns PATENT Fries.

GRAIN-SEPARATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 266,258, dated October 17', 188i.

Application tiled February i2, 1882.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FREDERICK W. How- ELL, of the city of Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and useful Inprovements in Grain-Separators, ot' which the following` is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of grainseparators in which the separation ofthe different kinds of grain is effected by a rotating cylinder provided on its inner surface with cells or indentations, in which the smaller grains lodge and are elevated, while the larger grains are rejected and roll back as the cylinder rotatcs.

My improvements have reference more particularly to a separating-cylinder into which the grain is introduced through a longitudinal opening in its side, and have for their object to simplify the construction ofthe apparatus, and to render it more e'ective in its operation.

My invention consists of the improvements hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of three sheets, Figure 1 is an end elevation of my improved machine. Fig. 2 is a vertical crosssection of the machine, showing the movable catch-board in an elevated position. Fig. 3 is a similar View with the catclrboard lowered. Figzt is a horizontal section in line a, Fig.2. 5 is an enlarged side view, showing the means whereby both parts of the adjustable catch-board are connected. Fig. G is a crosssection, and Fig. 7 a fragmentary horizontal section, ofthe roller applied to the end ofthe catch-board'. Fig. Sis a fragmentary elevation, showing the under side of the catch-board. Fig. 9 is an elevation of one of the standards which support the conveyer-troughs. Fig. 10 is a vertical longitudinal section ot' the same. Fig. 1l is a sectional elevation of one of the rollers upon which the separating cylinder rofates. Fig l2 is a longitudinal section of the end of the separatiiig-cylinder.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in lthe several figures.

A represents the stationary frame of the machine, and B represen ts the separating-cylinder, supported in the frame A by means of rollers b, mounted on shafts b, or by any other suitable means, so that the cylinder can be rotated about its axis. The cylinder B is pro- (No model.)

cells or indentations, whereby the different kinds of grain are separated in a well-known manner. These indentations may be allot' one size or they may be of different sizes, according to the number ot' separations which are desired. As shown in the drawings, the cylinder is provided with small cells d, which receive coekle, grass-seed, and other like small grains, and larger cells, d', which receive wheat; but the size and form of these cells may be va.- ried in accordance with the nature ot' the grain to be separated.

E represents the feed-hopper, arranged opposite the ascending side of the cylinder, and provided with a feed-roller, c, and adjustable slide e', or any other suitable mechanism, whereby the discharge of grain from the hopper is regulated.

F is a bucket or receptacle arranged underneath the hopper E and pivoted by a bolt, f, to theframe of the machine.

j" is a fixed plate, secured to the frame ofthe machine and arranged above the lower end ot' the bucket F, so that the lower side of the bucketrests against the lower edge of the plate f when the lower edge of the bucket is raised.

g'g represent two bell-crank levers, mounted loosely upon the .shaft g', whereby the feedslide e is operated. The lower slotted arms ot' the levers g are attached to the bucket F, and the upper arms thereof project toward the cylinder and are operated by a projection or cam, G, secured to the periphery of the cylinder near each end in suchmanner that the bucket is dumped when the opening c arrives in the proper position for receiving the grain.

H is a screw-conveyer, arranged lengthwise underneath the cylinder B 5 and h is a chute or spout, which extends from the con veyer-trou gh 7L upwardlyaround the lower portion of the cylinder and termina-tes underneath the bucket F.

I is a projecting tlange, formed on or secured to the outer surface ot' the cylinder B, at the lower edge of the opening c, and adapted to run in contact with that portion h2 of the chute h which is concentric with the cylinder B, so as IOO to direct the grain from the chtite into the opening c. The outer edge of the flange I may be provided with a strip of leather or other flexible material.

K K are two conveyertroughs, arranged lengthwise in the cylinder B, one above the other, and 7s 7s are the screw conveyers arrangcdtherein. l

L represents the inclined catch-board whereby the grain which is elevated by the cells is conducted into either ot' the conveyer-troughs K K. rlhe catclrboard L is attached to two arms, l, which are pivoted at l to thefranie of the machine. As shown in the drawings, the board L is composed of an outer andan inner part, which are adjustably secured together by rack-bars m and gear-wheels m. The bars in are attached to the under side ofthe outer part of the catch-board and slide in brackets n, secured to the under side of the inner part of the catchboard. The gearwheels m are mounted on a horizontal shaft, a', which is iournaled in the brackets 'ny and provided near one end with a hand-wheel, o, for turning the same. By moving the outer portion in or out the catch-board is adjusted to the inner surface of the cylinder, and its inclination is increased or reduced, as may be desired. The outer' part of the catch-board isheld, when adjusted, by a spring-pawl,o, engaging in one ot' its gear-wheels m. rlhe inner edge of the outer portion of the catch-board overlaps the outer edge of its inner portion sufficientlyv to permit of the requisite adjustment without breaking the continuity ot'the catch-board.

I represents a projecting segment or cam, secured to the periphery ofthe cylinder l, near each end thereof, and p are pins or rollers attached to the arms l and adapted to come in contact with the cams l. The latter are so arranged upon the cylinder B that the catchboard is permitted to remain in its lowest position (shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2) during that pcrtion of the revolution of the cylinder in which the small cells el discharge their contents upon the catch-board. Just before the large cells d' begin to discharge their contents upon the catch-board the earns l.) come in contact with the pins or rollers p on the arms l and raise the catch-board to the position shown in full lilies, Fig. 2. The cams P retain the catch-board in this position until that portion of the cylinder which contains the large cells d' has passed the catch-board, when the cams permit the latter to return to its lower position, on which it rests with its inner edge upon a ledge, ([,formedon thelowerconreyer-trough, K. As the catch-board is raised its inner edge strikes against a ledge, fl', which hinged to the upper conveyer-trough, li', whereby the upward movement of the catch-board is arrested.

9' represents a roller, of rubber' or' other flexible material, which is journaled in hearings lr', secured to the outer edge of the catchboard. AsV shown in the drawings, this roller consists of a rubber tube, which is slipped upon a lnetallic tube, the latter forming the shaft of the roller and turning in the bearings attached to the catch-board. The roller r reduces the friction between the edge of thc catch-board and the cylinder, and permits the kernels contained in the cells to pass the edge ofthe catch-board more readily.

s is a detlecting board or plate, secured to the under side of the catch-board or to the stationary frame of the machine for the purpose of retarding the influx of the grain into the cylinder through the opening c, and detlecting the grain upon the inner surface of the cylinder in order to prevent the grain from passing over a considerable portion of the inner cylinder-surface atso great a speed that the small kernels would be prevented from lodging in the cells. The plate s, in preventing the too rapid intlux of the grain through the opening c, prevents the grain from passing over a considerable portion ofthe cylinder-surface before the grain comes to a state ot' rest, which is necessary before the grain will lodge in the cells, and it thereby renders the entire inner surface of the cylinder useful in effecting the desired sci iaration.

'l represent the standards, to which the conveyer-troughs are secured, and which are provided on their inner sides with semicircular 'flanges lf, to which the ends of the metallic conveyer-troughs are secured. The shafts of the convcyers and of the supporting-rollers are preferably constructed of wrought-iron pipe, as indicated in the drawings.

t represents the dischargc-spouts of the conveyertroughs, which may be cast in one piece with the standards T.

U represents the ring, which is secured to theoutcr sideot' the cylinder at cach end tl|ereof, and which runs in the grooved rollers I), upon which the cylinder is supported.

'a is an annular' flange, angular' in cross-section, and secured to thel inner surface of the cylinder, at each end thereof, by screws or otherwise,so that the end ofthe-cylinder is clamped between the outer ring, U, and theinner ring, u. The latter' prevents the grain from escaping at the ends ofthe cylinder, and serve at the same time to sticn the ends ofthe cylinder.

The operation ofthe machine is as follows: The quantity of grain which is delivered from the feed-hopper into the bucket F is so regnlatcd that the grain which accumulates in the bucket during each revolution of the cylinder is equal to the separating capacity ot' the cylinder at each revolution. lhe grain rests against the platej" until the opening c of the cylinder arrives oppositethcconcentric portion It? of the chute h, when the bucket is dumped by the cams Gr, as shown in Fig. 3, and the grain contained in the bucket is discharged into the chute 7i. The grain passes from the latter through the opening c into the cylinder B, and is arrested by the plate s aml deliected upon the inner' surlacc of the cylinder, where IOU IOS

IIO

Ils

it is tirst operated upon by that section of the c, provided with a projecting plate, I, of afeedcylinder which is provided with the smaller cells, d. The cocltle and other small grains lodge in these cells, while the wheat and oats are rejected and roll back as the cylinder rotates. The cockle is elevated by the cells d and discharged upon the catch-board L, which conducts the coclile to the conveyertrough K. The grain in the cylinder is next operated upon bythe large cells d', which admit the wheat and reject the oats, and whereby the wheat is elevated and discharged upon the catch-board L. Thelatter has in the meantime been raised so as to discharge the wheat into the upper conveyer-trough, K. The residue of oats and other large grains are discharged through the opening cinto the conveyer H below the cylinder when the opening c arrives in its lowest position.

The size,form,and arrangement ofthe cells may ot' course be varied in accordance with the character ot' the grain which is to be separated.

I claim as my inventionl. The combination, with a separating-cylinder, B, provided in its surface with alongitudinal t'eed-opening,c, ot' means whereby the material is intermittently delivered from the feed-hopper into the feed-opening of the cylinder, a catch-b oard arranged in the cylinder,

means whereby the material falling from the catch-board is carriedoft', and means whereby the residue discharged from the cylinder through the feed-opening is collected and removed, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with a separating-cylinder, B, having a longitudinal feed-opening, c, ot' a chute, h,curved concentric with the cylinder, and a plate, l, projecting from the lower side of the opening c and running in contact with the concentric chute, substantially as set l'orth.

3. The combination, with a separating-cylinder, B, having a longitudinal feed-opening,

hopper, E, tilting bucket F, and chute h, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with a separating-cylinder, B, and two conveyer-troughs, K K', arranged within the same, of a movable catchboard, L, and means whereby the latter is made to deliver into either conveyer-trough, substantiallyv as set forth.

5. The combination, with a separating-cylinder, B, and two conveyer-troughs, K K, arranged within the same, of a movable catchboard, L, arms I, to which the board is pivoted,

and cams P, whereby the catch-board is raised and lowered, substantially as set forth.

6. rlhe combination, with a separating-cylinder, B, having a longitudinal inlet-opening, c, ot' two conveyers, K K', k k', arranged within the cylinder B, a conveyer, H h', arranged below the cylinder B, a movable catch-board, L, and a chute, h, substantially as set forth.

-7. The combination, with a separating-cylinder, B, of a catch-board, L, having its outer portion made adjustable toward and from the cylinder, and means whereby the material falling from the catch-board is collected and discharged, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination, with the catch-board L, of a roller, r, arranged at the edge ot' the catchhoard, substantially as set forth. l

9. The combination, with a separating-cylinder, B, having a longitudinal inlet-opening, c, ot" a stationary deliecting-board, s, arranged within the cylinder, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination, with a separating-cylinder, B, of conveyer-troughs K- K H and standards T, having curved anges t, upon which the conveyer-troughs are supported, substantially as set forth.

FREDERICK YV. HOWELL.

Witnesses JN0. J. BONNER, EDW. J. BRADY. 

